March 13, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: One confirmed dead from Kankakee tornado

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Kankakee County authorities have confirmed the death of one individual who was inside a storm-damaged home in Aroma Park.

The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post that the county coroner confirmed the death after sheriff’s deputies were notified late Thursday afternoon.

Government officials said at least 30 homes were destroyed by severe storms and tornadoes Tuesday.

BOBCAT HARVEST

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says 627 bobcats were harvested by hunters and trappers during the state’s 2025-2026 bobcat season.

Jefferson County reported 33 bobcats, followed by Macoupin County with 28.

IDNR issued 2,000 permits for the 2025 season out of 9,700 bobcat lottery applicants.

UI COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER NAMED

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has named a YouTube host to be the school’s 2026 commencement speaker.

“Hot Ones” host Sean Evans graduated from U of I in 2008.

The commencement ceremony is scheduled to be at Gies Memorial Stadium on May 16.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

'Consequential' day ahead for future household electricity costs

‘Consequential’ day ahead for future household electricity costs

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – PJM’s Board of Directors is preparing to make one of the most consequential decisions of this...
WATCH: Chicago committee rejects proposed tax hikes; Hemp industry wants regulation

WATCH: Chicago committee rejects proposed tax hikes; Hemp industry wants regulation

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from...
Illinois quick hits: Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump

Illinois quick hits: Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, says a bipartisan bill she sponsored is headed...
Clark County Graphic.6

Clark County Approves New Heating System for Animal Control Building After Pipes Freeze

Clark County Board Meeting | October 10, 2025 Article Summary:The Clark County Board has approved the installation of a new $3,980 heating system for the county's Animal Control building. The...
Chicago council committee rejects mayor’s proposed tax hikes

Chicago council committee rejects mayor’s proposed tax hikes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council Committee on Finance has rejected a package of higher taxes proposed by Mayor...
Illinois quick hits: Elections board considers primary election petition objections

Illinois quick hits: Elections board considers primary election petition objections

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Elections board considers primary election petition objections Gov. J.B. Pritzker has one challenger in the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial primary. Former Chicago...
Feds: Illegal commercial drivers licenses issued in California

Feds: Illegal commercial drivers licenses issued in California

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square A federal agency reported the California Department of Motor Vehicles illegally issued thousands of commercial drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants. According to the U.S. Department...
Socialist candidate runs against Los Angeles mayor

Socialist candidate runs against Los Angeles mayor

By Dave MasonThe Center Square A trend of socialist mayoral candidates in the nation’s biggest cities is continuing with housing advocate Rae Chen Huang’s candidacy against Los Angeles Mayor Karen...
193 youth in care of Illinois' child welfare agency missing in 2025

193 youth in care of Illinois’ child welfare agency missing in 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – So far this calendar year, Illinois’ child welfare agency reports 193 missing youth in care, an increase...
Hemp industry advocate promises to work with Pritzker, lawmakers

Hemp industry advocate promises to work with Pritzker, lawmakers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and an advocate for the Illinois hemp industry have different views on reform after...
Bill would make health care sharing ministries tax deductible

Bill would make health care sharing ministries tax deductible

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The president of a health sharing ministry says he supports a bill that would make health share systems tax deductible, additionally stating that health sharing...
HHS terminates Biden-era rule that rewarded doctors for ‘anti-racism’ plans

HHS terminates Biden-era rule that rewarded doctors for ‘anti-racism’ plans

By Tate MillerThe Center Square In a win for a return to meritorious health care systems and patient trust in them, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services terminated...
Average cost of family insurance nears $27,000 a year

Average cost of family insurance nears $27,000 a year

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Average family health insurance premiums rose 6% in 2025, nearing $27,000, underscoring consistent increases and warning of more hikes ahead. Higher healthcare spending, including increased...
U.S. House to vote on releasing the Epstein files

U.S. House to vote on releasing the Epstein files

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After pressuring Republicans for months to oppose any mass release of government records on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, President Donald Trump changed course just...
Vermont looks to encourage legal immigration pathways

Vermont looks to encourage legal immigration pathways

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Vermont legislature is looking toward legal immigration pathways to address labor shortages throughout the state. Vermont passed a bipartisan bill in May calling for...